Brussels Airport

BRU originated in 1940 during WWII, as the German forces occupying Belgium turned 1,500 acres of agricultural land into Fliegerhorst Melbroek, a Luftwaffe airfield with three runways shaped like a triangle. Two runways (02/20 and 07L/25R) are still in use today. Although the runways were in Zaventem, the airport buildings were built at Melsbroek, and that is the name by which the locals referred to the airport. On September 3rd, 1944, Belgium was liberated, and the British took over the airport. As the old civilian airport was deemed too small, Belgian officials decided to convert the airfield at Melsbroek into the new primary airport for the country. A new terminal building opened in 1948, and the lengths of runways 02/20 and 07L/25R were increased to 3,900 feet and 2,450 feet, respectively. On July 20th, 1948, the airport was officially opened, and many more buildings were constructed in the following years. As such, a railway line was built from the Brussels city center to the airport, opening on May 15th, 1955. The following year, runway 07R/25L was constructed at 7,500 feet (it was later lengthened to 10,500 feet and is still in use today). In April, it was determined that a new airport would be built utilizing the same runways, only this time, the buildings would be at Zaventem. The third of the original runways (12/30, a grass runway) was removed to create space for a new terminal. The new airport was inaugurated on July 5th, 1958.
The 1960s and 1970s brought about the jet age, and commercial aviation took off. As such, several hangars were erected, and in 1976 a new cargo terminal was constructed. In 1994, a new terminal building was constructed adjacent to the old terminal, while two old piers were torn down and replaced. A new port (A) opened on May 15th, 2002. On December 12th, 2005, a new train link with Leuven and Liège opened. Although traffic was initially hurt by the 2002 downfall of the national airline Sabena, by 2008, the airport had served 18.5 million passengers, and the numbers were slowly returning. Moreover, in 2009 the old mechanical flight information display systems were replaced by electronic displays.

The airport is located in the municipality of Zaventem in the Province of Flemish Brabant in the Flemish Region, 7.5 miles northeast of Brussels. 

• There is an urban legend that the Germans chose the airport site at Melsbroek after asking locals where to build it. The Belgians, who were under German occupation then, pointed to this location as it was often foggy. 
• The airport's future is up in the air as there is a disagreement between the governments of Flanders and Brussels Capital Region regarding nighttime flight operations. 
• Plans are in place for the expansion of Pier A (with Pier A West) and the construction of a low-cost terminal. However, both are on hold due to slow passenger growth. 
• The airport features places of worship for various religions and a meditation area for humanists. 
• Some of the FBOs at BRU are ExecuJet Brussels FBO, Aviapartner, and Brussels Airport Company.